Monday, November 24, 2008

Holliday Media

With the holidays approaching, i'd like you to share with the group any media related traditions you have. Does your family all get together to watch something on TV. Is there any particular show you love to watch every Christmas/Thanksgiving? Why is that show/s so important to you. I know i have some favorites dating back to when i was a kid but i wonder if there are any new shows that have come on recently that will one day be a favorite for my children?

Thanks for all your responses this semester.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Video Games and Violence

So last week the topic was sex and tv. This week it's video games and violence. This is my particular research area. In addition to teaching, i conduct experiments at the university looking at what elements in a game contribute to hostile feelings. I will leave my personal feelings and findings out of this post because i don't want to persuade the group. I noticed CNN posted this article last week. So what do you think about violent video games. Are they becoming too prevalent in society? Do they contribute to violence? Can we blame them for school shootings (as the media has done several times, especially at Columbine)? If they are a negative force for children, how do we combat that? Your thoughts please.

Monday, November 3, 2008

TV and SEX

CNN published a piece today on a RAND study linking teen pregnancy to watching sex on television. First, read the piece here. After reading i want you to address a few questions.
1. Do you think the results are correct? Does watching more sex on tv lead to teen pregnancy?
2. What other factors are also leading to teen pregnancy? In the piece one person says that too many things other than parenting are always blamed for teen pregnancy. Do you agree? Could good parenting counter the effects of watching too much sex on TV.
3. Could there be a third variable going on here? Teen pregnancy is on the rise. Sex on TV is on the rise. The number of hours of TV watched is on the rise? What's going on?
4. The term Media Literacy is used. This means teaching children about the lies and manipulations that can be made in the media. (Basically you're taking a class in media literacy right now). Is there a place for this in the classroom? And how can we teach media literacy in the classroom when we are barely getting basic skills like reading and writing taught in the classroom?

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

SPOOKY TIME!!!!

Hello all,
It's that time of year again, my favorite time of year actually (well next to christmas).It's Halloween. I loved trick or treating as a kid and get to relive it all over again now with my own kids. And of course, cable tv is great now cause they show all the horror movies (even if they are edited).

That brings me to my question. What is your favorite Horror Movie. Tell me why it is your favorite. And why do you think we go see horror movies. Even if you don't like them, tell me why you think others go see them. And by the way, here's a good scare for you (not for those with a heart condition).

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Now He's Too Busy???

Ringo Starr of The Beatles recently posted a video claiming he was too busy to answer fan mail or sign autographs. Here's the video.




So has Ringo finally earned the right to no longer take fan mail or do you think he has an obligation to respond to people who have supported him in the past. What exactly do you think should be the relationship between a star and the fan?

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Tim McGraw Needs to Apologize

This just in: Tim McGraw is apologizing for releasing a greatest hits CD when there was only one studio album released since his latest greatest hits album. See the story here. Thank you Tim. I myself have always hated when an artist released greatest hits albums within 5 years of putting the last one out. I also hate it when a band that only has 3 albums out decides to release a greatest hits album.

Are we too quick to make musicians into icons. Sure some musicians have conquered album sales (like Madonna, Michael Jackson, Springsteen). But aren't there some people out there who really don't deserve to keep releasing albums. Who do you think is the most over-rated singer/performer out there. With economic times as hard as they are, is there anyone out there that you would pay over $100 to see in concert.

Also, with the advent of ITunes and other legal downloading applications, do you think the "greatest hits" album is a thing of the past? Does the ability to buy single songs instead of whole albums impact the concept of a greatest hits package?

Monday, October 6, 2008

An often overlooked media

Hey gang,
It seems that the current trend in cellphones these days are either the blackberry or the iphone, both of which function more as a mini-computer rather than a simple phone. One of the latest things i've been thinking about it how all the new phones have GPS in them. You know what GPS is, the ability for a satellite to recognize your location and give you directions to any place you want to travel.

George Carlin, the comedian, once said, "When fascism comes to America, it will not be in brown and black shirts. It will not be with jackboots. It will be Nike sneakers and smiley shirts. Smiley-smiley." If you're a fan of Star Wars then you remember in the last prequel movie, the female hero says, "so this is how liberty dies, with thunderous applause." Sometimes i believe our freedoms and liberty are being plucked from us and we misinterpret that pluck as a tickle. Think about this. With every cellphone now having GPS, Facebook wants to publish an application where you can locate where your friends are at any moment of the day by tracking your GPS cellphone. Slowly your right to privacy is being stolen, and we are happily signing up to pay $50 a month to ensure it.

How has the cellphone changed our life and how will it further change our life. Do you view the cellphone as a positive technology or negative. Give reasons for both: why the cellphone is good and bad for society. Also, where do you think the cellphone is heading. What will the cellphone technology hold for us in the future? Remember two paragraphs.

P.S. i have someone posting as Matthew&Ashley. That person has not received any points yet. Could you please tell me your name so i can credit you with points.

Monday, September 29, 2008

A Week Off

Because of the midterm being this week, there is no blog.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

School Shootings and the Media

Sorry for being a day late on this. Word is just now spreading that there was a massive school shooting in Finland today. As someone who studies media violence and particularly video games, i wonder how long it will be before the press mentions that the shooter played violent video games. It always seems to be a talking point with the press. Perhaps this time we won't hear anything about it, but my money says it will be mentioned.

This brings me to another point. Media violence is typically stated as an influence in these types of events. What is your view. Does violence in the media spark these type of mass killings. Give me reasons and arguments to back up your beliefs. What do you think is most responsible for these violent actions. Remember, two paragraphs please.

Monday, September 15, 2008

Laughing to the White House

So, two big events this weekend. First, Sarah Palin's interview on ABC. Second, and perhaps more important, the parody of Palin on Saturday Night Live, which can be found by clicking here.

Parodying political figures and events is nothing new, but we seem to be at a period in time where programs like "The Daily Show," "The Colbert Report," and "Real Time with Bill Maher" are scoring major ratings. That brings me to this week's questions.

1. What do you think about the Palin parody that i linked above? Do you think it's funny, unfair, important, etc? Do you think political parody serves an important function in society?

2. What's your favorite political parody (a cartoon, a sketch, etc.) and where did you see it (Saturday Night Live, a magazine, a newspaper, another TV show)? Why was it your favorite?

Remember, give me two paragraphs.

And finally, i want you to google the following terms "Jonathan Swift, A Modest Proposal". You don't have to write anything about what you find. I just want to show you that political parody and protest have been around for awhile. If Swift were alive today, he'd be a regular on The Daily Show.

Monday, September 8, 2008

Pack your BAg

Hello all,
I once saw a news piece where a journalist asked the presidential candidates what book they would take with them to the White House. That's a neat question and it reminded me of that old question, "If you were stranded on an island........"

So here's my media related question to you this week. Write a short paragraph on each:

1. If you were stranded on an island, what magazine would you like to wash up onshore every week? And why?

2. If you were stranded on an island, what one movie would you like to take with you (in a portable dvd player, of course)? And why?

3. If you were stranded on an island, what one album/song would you like to be loaded on the mp3 player you took with you? And why?

Good Luck

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Is the media out of bounds

So John McCain announced Sarah Palin as Vice-Presidential Nominee. Not long after that, the media started digging. Part of naming a running mate is vetting them, sitting down with the person and asking them for all the dirt that the media could possibly dig up on them. It was revealed that Palin's 17-year old daughter is pregnant. Likewise the following images have recently come out showing the same daughter drinking underage (presumably before she was pregnant).


Obama has already commented saying that family matters are off limits. He himself was a product of a teen pregnancy and he doesn't think the issue of Palin's daughter has any place in the race. But some argue that this damages Palin's image as someone running on a conservative ticket. What are your thoughts on this. Are the candidates' family off limits to the media. What level of the families are off limits: spouses, grown children, young children, parents. Can we blame the media for wanting to cover any family scandals? Two paragraphs on this please.



Also please add in your first and last names if these are different than your posting name. Last week i had a Marc, Christen, and Caroline post but i'm not sure which students these are. If you are one of the three, please let me know so i can credit you.

Monday, August 25, 2008

New Semester/ Summer Media Events

In the past few years, the summer movie season has really performed poorly. Yet, this year, spearheaded by The Dark Knight, revenues are up. Past research has shown that even in economic downturns people usually do not stop spending money on entertainment. Also showing that this was a change from recent years, the Beijing Olympics pulled in record ratings this summer.

So what is up with this summer? Any ideas why movie and television viewing is up. Is it because it's a cheaper form of entertainment relative to other summertime entertainment (amusement parks, vacation trips, etc.)

Also what was your favorite media event this summer. Was it a movie, a television show or series, a political event covered by the media, new book released, new album released, saw a concert, etc. Tell me what it was and why you enjoyed it so much.

Answer all these questions in two paragraphs please.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

The Simpsons (and other Stuff)

There was a time when the Simpsons, the Fox animated show, was considered vulgar. Perhaps it still is, but it seems to me that the American public is more accepting of it now...almost to the point where we consider it an American institution. Something about it seems inherently "American." Well, the show was recently pulled from airing in the morning on Venezuelan television because it was considered inappropriate for that time slot (when kids are watching). The Simpsons was rescheduled to air at night. What was put in to replace The Simpsons in the morning time slot, "Baywatch: Hawaii." So what is worse in your eyes, The Simpsons or Baywatch? And do you think that the Simpsons have toned down their act or have we become more accepting of its type of humor?

Also...and i swear i didn't post this video....the whole talk of Oprah as a cult leader escalated this week upon the release of this video. I wonder what you think of it. Take note that at the end there is a sales pitch for the author's book.

Monday, April 14, 2008

The Queen of All Media

Oprah Winfrey seems to have the midas touch, everything she touches turns to gold. Let me count the ways. She has her TV show, her magazine, her book club, her own satellite radio channel, her production studio, her own broadway musical, and she just partenered with the Discovery channel to begin her own cable channel the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN). Needless to say she also appoints people to celebrity status, such as Dr. Phil. By the way see this video to see what hot water Dr. Phil has himself in now.

When Oprah promotes a product it sells unbelievably. She pitches self-help gurus, sex therapists, financial advisors, and all other sorts of personalities. She started her school in Ghana for poor African girls.

Here's my question. Do you think Oprah has become a cult figure? She tells you how to live a better life, what books to read, what to listen to, and what to purchase. What's the difference between Oprah and other past cult figures? If she told people to drink the koolaid and get ready for the mothership, do you think women would listen? Of course, part of me is joking about this, but........

At least two paragraphs please.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Every Generation's Voice

Every decade has a voice. Sometimes we can associate a celebrity with that voice. In the 60's Bob Dylan was a fresh-faced voice for youth. Recently, Dylan was honored with a pulitzer prize. Read the article by clicking here. Other names come to mind when thinking about musicians whose voices are important to society. I recall John Lennon's fight for peace. I think about rap's early days with Public Enemy and with Boogie Down Production's KRS-One. I think about Bob Marley.

So....who are today's voices. Notice i mentioned musicians in my thoughts above. Let's keep it in the same vein. Which musicians performing today do you think should be honored as trying to help society and why are they important? Do you feel some musicians of past have been overlooked? If you don't agree with someone's selections, give reasons why that musician is not worthy. Remember try to give me two paragraphs.

Monday, March 31, 2008

An often overlooked media

Hey gang,
Well i'm back. i am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. My workload will lighten up for a few weeks. Whewww!!! One of the things i did this weekend was buy a new cellphone/pda. My new Blackberry will help me stay organized. I've been playing with it for a few days now and i am in love with it. But this makes me think of an often overlooked communication media: the cellphone.

How has the cellphone changed our life. Do you view the cellphone as a positive technology or negative. Give reasons for both: why the cellphone is good and bad for society. Also, where do you think the cellphone is heading. What will the cellphone technology hold for us in the future? Remember two paragraphs.

P.S. - I'm looking into how to update this blog on my Blackberry. How Cool is that!!

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Hey gang,
I realize i am late in posting this week. that's because i am totally swamped from now until April 1st. So let's chalk this one up to a freebie.

Everyone gets 4 points this week. but look for me to be back in gear next week.

Kevin

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

The Church

I was struggling a bit with what to post this week. Of course, the big news is what Obama's preacher Jeremiah Wright said regarding Hillary Clinton. This brought about past statements Reverend Wright made which smell of racism and anger. I've heard a few black sermons in my short life. Tell you the truth, i like the black church. But looking at Reverend Wright the first thing that caught my eye was not the color of his skin or the anger in his voice but rather his clothes. They were flashy, bright, and a little too boisterous for me.

That got me thinking about televangelists in general and how they ride the fine line (and blur it most often) between selflessness and selfishness. I can think of some past losers such as Jim Baker and Jimmy Swaggert, but then i can think of some that people seem to love such as Joel Osteen and Jesse Duplantis. All of these preachers teach in Mega-Churches and all use the airwaves as part of their ministries. So here's my question to you. Are these televangelists doing the work of God as they say they are. You don't necessarily have to be a Christian to have an answer on this. Please give reasons for your answer. Remember, two paragraphs.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

TV Back to......Normal?

Well, the TV writers' strike is over. Some shows are back on the TV now with fresh material. Other shows will take longer, some even not coming back until the fall.
1. Did the absence of new television shows affect your daily lives at all. Did you still watch the same amount of TV or less? If you watched less, what did you do instead?

Also, one of my favorites, Saturday Night Live, returned this week. And guest host's Tina Fey's comments are generating some buzz. Tell me what you think of her comments, in which she claims "bitch is the new black." You can find them at http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/video/#mea=221773.

Remember two paragraphs.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Black History Month

Hello all,
So we're closing up on February which also happens to be Black History Month. We're also facing the possibility of electing the first black President this year. Some would say we've come a long way from the racism of yesterday. Some would argue we haven't come very far at all. But here's my question to you:

What piece(s) of media (book, movie, album, TV show, etc.) do you remember as being a key piece of material addressing racism in America. You can list as many things as you like. Just give me two paragraphs telling why it impacted you so much. I'll get the ball rolling. My favorites would be a documentary series called "Eyes on the Prize" and a book by Anne Moody called "Coming of Age in Mississippi".

Monday, February 11, 2008

Pack your Bag

Hello all,
Really good comments last week. I have enjoyed reading them. I was watching a news piece this weekend where a journalist asked all the presidential candidates what book they would take with them to the White House. That's a neat question and it reminded me of that old question, "If you were stranded on an island........"

So here's my media related question to you this week. Write a short paragraph on each:

1. If you were stranded on an island, what magazine would you like to wash up onshore every week? And why?

2. If you were stranded on an island, what one movie would you like to take with you (in a portable dvd player, of course)? And why?

3. If you were stranded on an island, what one album/song would you like to be loaded on the mp3 player you took with you? And why?

Good Luck

Monday, February 4, 2008

Talk Radio

It seems that Talk Radio just gets meaner and meaner. Instead of giving us a civil discourse, we get a screaming "us versus them" mentality that really doesn't help or inspire any of us as citizens.

I spent a lot of time growing up within earshot of Atlanta, where popular talk radio host Neal Boortz broadcasts his syndicated show. Last week, Boortz began a rant on the radio.

I'd like to know what you think of his comments. You can hear them and read the transcript by clicking here.
Do you think Boortz is justified in his comments.

Monday, January 28, 2008

The State of the Union

Hello gang,
Monday night was the State of the Union and the Democratic Response. I want you to view both by clicking below

State of the Union

Democratic Response

After viewing these, i'd like you to address the following.

1. Is this the first time you have viewed a State of the Union?
2. Did you find either the State of the Union or Democratic Response inspiring?
3. A recent poll stated that 70% of citizens feel that America is on the wrong track. How do you feel after these speeches?
4. What should have been said in these speeches?

Important: Please remember to put your names on these blogs. Sometimes i can't tell who you are based on a screen nickname.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

From One Dream to Another

What better way to honor Dr. King's memory than to look at the candidates who are fighting for the presidency. In the mix and being talked about as having a great shot at winning are a black man and a woman. Is racism dead? No! We have only to look at the recent incidents in Jena, Louisiana, to see we are a ways off. But perhaps we are getting there, one step at a time.

On a lighter note, here's our discussion for the week. What do you think about President Clinton napping off during MLK III's remembrance sermon? Is it disrespectful, or does it just show the guy's humanity? Who of us have not drifted off during a presentation? Or is it different in this account? If you know you are being watched by hundreds and by a camera, should you try harder? Watch the video by clicking here. I'm not trying to make a mountain out of a molehill. Just wondering what you think of this moment. Don't short change yourself. Give me two full paragraphs and remember you can comment on your classmates responses as well. Also, if using a nickname online, please make sure i get your real name so i can give credit more easily.

Monday, January 14, 2008

Spring 2008 - Let the Blogging Commence

So this is the first blog of Spring Semester 2008. You'll have to join this site in order to post so make sure you go through that process. Sometimes i use questions from past semesters (like today's question). In that case you'll be able to read past students' comments. With that introduction, here's this week's post.

One of my favorite movies is "Anchorman" with Will Ferrell. It's great at showing the absurdity that may or may not take place in television news. Recently, a station in Tyler, Texas, hired a model to take over the position of anchorwoman. Needless to say, most of the station didn't like it. The whole thing was captured in a Fox reality show named "Anchorwoman." The station manager thought it was a good idea but people got upset. The reality show itself even flopped after one airing. You can find a summary of all this at http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/showbiz/2007/08/25/moos.anchorwoman.cancelled.cnn. Here's my question to you. Do looks matter in television news. Does gender matter? Does race matter? Does youth matter? Who do you want sitting at the anchor desk of your news? Who do you want sitting at a national network's newscast? Give me at least a two paragraph reply, and remember you can also comment on what other people write.